What are these green-bordered speed limit signs appearing across Europe?

If you’ve recently driven abroad, you may have spotted a strange new sign: a black number on a white background, but instead of the usual red border, it’s outlined in green. This isn’t a printing error or a warning: it’s Europe’s latest traffic experiment.

What do the green-bordered speed limit signs mean?

Traditional speed limit signs are ringed in red and are legally binding. In contrast, the new green-bordered signs indicate recommended speeds. The aim is to encourage drivers to voluntarily adjust their speed, especially in areas that require heightened caution.

Why now? According to EU traffic safety statistics, speeding remains a leading cause of urban accidents. To better protect pedestrians and cyclists, many countries are testing alternative tools such as interactive displays that show smiling or frowning faces depending on a vehicle’s speed. The green-bordered sign fits into this trend: it doesn’t enforce, it persuades.

Where are these signs being used?

Currently, the United Kingdom is already using green-bordered speed signs, and Spain and France are planning to introduce them as well. These countries are rolling them out on a trial basis, primarily in high-risk zones where road safety is especially critical. Such locations include school zones, where children frequently cross the street in unpredictable ways.

Similarly hazardous are blind curves, mountainous roads, or residential areas dotted with crosswalks—places with high foot traffic but where the flow of vehicles might not justify a fixed, legally mandated speed limit.